AN UNLIKELY Oxford United fan is in the running to be crowned the new Miss England and has appealed for the club's followers for support.

Samantha Bumford, 25, has already been named Miss Poole and Miss Dorset but, despite her life-long links to the South West, has always bled yellow.

She will be on the pitch ahead of today's match against Burton Albion at the Kassam before the new Miss England is crowned on September 4 and is hoping to gather more support for her bid for glory.

The trainee primary school teacher, whose parents are United season ticket holders, said: "I was basically born in a yellow and blue tracksuit - my family have always been huge fans.

"Oxford has been my main team for as long as I can remember and I try and come and see them whenever I can.

"There is such a great community connected to the club and the amount of support I have had from them has been incredible."

Some 50 women will be competing alongside Ms Bumford for the overall Miss England title this year.

Aside from the main competition, she is hoping to retain her Miss Social Media accolade - won by gathering the most likes and shares - and put in a good showing in the 'eco' round where contestants have to make their own dress from plastics.

She added: "Only a small part of the competition is about looking beautiful.

"For me, the most important parts show your inner beauty.

"People will look at me and think I am an airhead because I'm blonde and smiley.

"But I have a degree and I am proud of my intelligence.

"I want this so I can use the title to help people."

Since first entering a beauty contest in March 2017, Ms Bumford has attended more than 600 events and taken part in dozens of charity challenges including a 'wing walk' this week.

She was present at Wembley when the U's competed in the Checkatrade Trophy final and, if she wins, has pledged to bring her Miss England crown back to the Kassam at the first opportunity.

She said: "I think I have got a good chance.

"I have really put my heart and soul into this.

"I have done my best and my goal is to win it.

"I don't feel there is anything more I could have done and I just hope the judges can see how hard I have worked.

"If I do win, the Kassam is one of the first places I want to go."

To support the campaign search 'Samantha Louise Emma' on Facebook and like her posts or text MISSENGLAND43 to 63333 to vote.